A Melodious Heart for the Lord

 

The Billboard Top 10 lists the following artists as some of the world's most popular in mainstream music: Tyler, the Creator; The Cure, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Jelly Roll, and Zach Bryan.  In the "religious" venue, popular K Love radio lists the following "Christian" musicians: Lauren Daigle, Kanye West, Elevation Worship, Casting Crowns, For King and Country, and Mercy Me.  A quick perusal of any of these artists' photos and biographies should lead a Bible-believing Christian to ask why anyone would want to listen to the music of these people.   But, how do I know what kind of music to listen? Country, Bluegrass, Pop, Rock and Roll, CCM?  What type of music would please God? 

Ephesians 5:19

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

 

The following is a simple outline of study in which three questions will be asked about music:

--Is God interested in your music?

--Does God say anything to us about the kind of music we listen to?

--What should the believers Attitude, Aptitude and Altitude be towards music?

 Use this outline to springboard further Biblical study as you develop a Christian philosophy for music.

Answer to these questions—

Question 1:

Is God interested in your music?

Answer:

Yes—God gave us an entire book on Music.  There are 150 Psalms.  Let’s break this book of the Bible down a little.

            Psalm 1:1—We are to be not of this world

            Psalm 8:1—Everything to the Glory of God

            Psalm 9:1—We are witnesses of His marvelous work—Creation

            Psalm 11:1—Teaches God’s Truth

                        1a—Trust

                        3b—Doctrine

                        4c—Attribute of God—Omniscience

                        6d—Judgment

            Psalm 16—Prayer

            Psalm 22—Saviour

            Psalm 23—Shepherd

            Psalm 24—Sovereign

            Psalms 146, 147, 148, 149, 150—Praise

In Job 38:2-7—God’s creation sings

The Bible talks about singing in Exodus 15:1, 2 Samuel 22:50, Job 29:13, Psalm 33:3, 100:2; Proverbs 29:6, Isaiah 5:1, 1 Corinthians 14:15; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13

 

Music Is Not Neutral

Music either draws us closer to God or away from God.

Is the person playing/singing a Christian?

Saul was. . . .  

            Refreshed—body

            Well—emotions

            Spirit departed—spiritual

Your music will affect your body, emotions and spirit.

 

The neutrality in music started during the 1950’s with Christians who did not want to separate from the world.

American Medical Association (AMA) did a study in airports about birds.  Birds are dangerous in airports because they can cause crashes.  The scientists experimented with classical and rock music.  It was not how loud the music was played, but the style of music played.  Whenever the rock music was not played, the birds returned to their nests.  But when it was played, they stayed away.

If music is neutral, then when we get saved we should not have to change our music.  Psalms 33; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the word new means new in quality.

 

 

God gave music to minister to our hearts

            The world's music is base, fleshly, carnal—Exodus 32:17-19

            God’s music is lofty, spiritual, Godly—Psalm 96 (Unto the Lord)

                        David’s music even had an effect on Saul.

 

 

Question 2: Does God say anything to us about the kind of music we listen to?

 

Answer:

Yes—God gives us gifts and talents.  He is the giver; but the world corrupts God’s gifts.  Our music is to always honor the Lord (Ephesians 5:19)  The fullness is first—not music and then fullness out of emotion. (Ephesians 5:19)  Make melody in your hearts.  The world’s music is bass line, volume set, and emotion driven.  Music is a universal vehicle carrying a message.

 There should be a right balance of elements of music.               

Melody                        Spirit

Harmony                     Soul

Rhythm                       Body

The most emphasized element is the melody—Ephesians 5:19

You probably heard the judges during the final tasting of a cooking competition. Perhaps it was of banana bread. As the judge lifts the piece to his mouth, he first puts it through the smell test. Does it smell like banana? Or perhaps it does not, or maybe the cinnamon is the dominant scent. Then comes the taste. He lets it linger in his mouth as he savours and "tests" each layer of flavor. Who will win? Yes, all the elements are vital, yet the primary focus will be on the one that exudes the perfect balance of flavor while allowing the star of the dish - the banana - to shine. The potent cinnamon bread will not win first place, because it overpowered the key ingredient. 

 Godly                                                       Worldly

It is God’s Music	It is the world’s, flesh, and devil
Melody-melody line on a staff	Base-beat, bass, boom, bass cleft
Message-the Book	Looks worldly, sounds worldly, says worldly, includes false doctrine
Magnification-Jesus High Holy and Lifted UP	Man, feel good, entertainment, makes money

 

Question  3

What should the believers Attitude, Aptitude and Altitude be towards music?

Answer:

Your attitude—As unto the Lord

                                    Should not be emotion-driven or entertainment-seeking 

Your Aptitude—learn music, practice music, and understand music— 

                                    To ignorantly accept all types of music without knowledge of                                         its author's intent, musical structure, or doctrinal teaching                                             is foolish.               

                                 Proverbs 18:15 - The heart of the prudent getteth                                             knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

                                   Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of                                      knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 Your Altitude—lifts up the Lord and Holy Spirit

                                    The emphasis of Godly music is not to lift up your flesh, pride                                         and emotion.

                                    Take time to analyze the musical structure. If beat, boom,                                         and bass are the prominent elements, the melody, hence                                             the message is being minimized. The beat, boom, and                                          bass trigger the release of dopamine and neurotransmitters                                         within the body that create physical and emotional                                                     reactions apart from the message of the song.  

•  Is the beat ¾ time, 4/4 time or other regular time?—           Syncopation is popular amongst jazz, rock, and pagan                                                 music
•  Is it boom?—Are the loud speakers vibrating? Safe indoor decibel levels are between 50-60. Typical rock concerts     reach over 100 decibels.
•  Is it bass—emotion, throbbing bass, repetition - Science     has proven that an overwhelming bass sound will cause     an adrenaline rush, increase heart rates, and instigate a    euphoria and emotional release not unlike a psychotic drug.

 

Ephesians 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God.  Look at what Ephesians 5 teaches. . .

 

 

 

How to Choose Good Music

 

1. Obey the authority over you
1. Hebrews 13: 17—Pastors have church authority over you
2. Proverbs 3:5-6—Lean not to our own understanding

You surrendered your life to God, now surrender your music.

     

2. The lyrics to the music

Are they biblically based and doctrinally sound? John 4:24

            Spirit-submission

            Truth-Word of God

3. The effect on your life

Does your music cause you to think sensually or spiritually?

            Depression or cheer up?

            I Samuel 16—David and Saul

                        Music only

                        Refreshed-physical

                        Mind-Mental & spiritual

Music is the way to communicate a message, serve, worship, love and holiness.

 

4. The testimony with others

Romans 14:7; I Corinthians 8:9

Our Christian liberty ends at someone else’s conscience.

Remember leaders, whatever you do in moderations, your followers will do in excess. 

Final thought: As you study, it may be helpful to write out key Biblical principles for Godly music. Use these principles in your church, school, and home.